Covered Bridge and Jordan Stratton repeat in the Gold Cup and Saucer with a decisive 1:50.4 victory.

by Melissa Keith

Red Shores Charlottetown turned perfect racing conditions into a golden night at the races on Saturday (Aug. 17).

Post time for the 65th annual Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, was moved to 11:30 pm (Atlantic), a half-hour earlier than the usual midnight send-off.

The $100,000 final featured a field of nine pacers. The 3-5 favorite Covered Bridge was reunited with Jordan Stratton, who had piloted him to victory in last year’s Gold Cup and Saucer. The only three horses to win two consecutive finals were Andys Son (1965, 1966) for driver James Moore; Firebolt (1969, 1970) for Art Porter; and Sand Olls Dexter (2003, 2004) for Mark MacDonald. 

In Saturday night’s main event, Larry Karr took early command for driver Austin Sorrie, out-leaving #5 Binge On Yankee (driver Marc Campbell) and #8 Save America, who crossed over from the outside post, making for a three-wide battle into the first turn. Larry Karr led to the :26.3 opening quarter, followed by pocket-sitting Binge On Yankee and earning a “Boom! Just like that!” from race caller Vance Cameron.

Save America advanced first-over approaching the :54 half, followed by second-over #3 Fortify (Dan Dube), and clearing leader Larry Karr on the backstretch, nearing three-quarters. Adam Merner’s horse briefly opened up by nearly two lengths, but first-over Fortify and third-over Covered Bridge were quickly gaining on him at three-quarters, reached in 1:22.1.

When Covered Bridge tipped three-wide around Fortify, there was little question he would repeat, this time in 1:50.4h. He opened up down the stretch, as Gilles Barrieau sent #6 Twin B Tuffenuff wide from near-last late for place, drawing ahead of show finisher Save America. 

Covered Bridge (p, 4, 1:48.3m; $1,308,023) is an 8-year-old gelding by American Ideal, out of Stonebridge Kisses, owned by Mark Ford of Campbell Ford, NY and bred by Winbak Farm of Chesapeake City, MD. It was his eighth 2024 victory, in his 20th start of the year. 

“The horse is an incredible animal, greeting the fans as he was exactly one year ago,” said Cameron, as Stratton took the gelding along the Charlottetown fence for selfies and pats on his way back to the winner’s circle.

After the win, an emotional Jordan Stratton told interviewer Ken Warkentin that he had his doubts about going back-to-back.

“You know, I was little hesitant because he wasn’t maybe 100 per cent going into this race, but the connections, Jeff [Gillis] and [wife] Sarah have done a great job with him, and he’s happy to be home, and I’m happy to be here with him again.” 

TRIALS AND MORE TRIALS

There were three Gold Cup Trials during Old Home Week 2024 to determine the field for the final.

The first two Trials were raced over a sloppy surface on Aug. 10. Both were won by catch driver James MacDonald: Save America, a 1:52.1h winner trained by Jamie Smith for owner TheStable Save America of Guelph, ON in race 15, and Fortify, who got his 1:52.2h win for conditioner Chris MacKay and owners Daniel Gaudreault of Mont-Joli, QC and Ecuries Maguire Inc. of Sainte-Marie, QC in race 16.

Fortify’s victory was over place finisher Covered Bridge, a beaten 1-2 favorite in his Trial for catch driver Jody Jamieson.

The third Trial, over a fast track on Monday (Aug. 12), went to Heaven On High N in a 1:52.3h mile for driver Brett MacDonald, trainer Jamie Smith, and owner Shark Racing Stable of Bainbridge, NY.

Post positions were determined at the Tuesday (August 13) draw. Elimination winners landed posts #2 (Heaven On High N), #3 (Fortify), and #8 (Save America). 

Saturday (Aug. 17) was a tough day for Charlottetown native Anthony MacDonald, who was listed to drive Save America in the Gold Cup and Saucer final. 

“Disappointed… that’s the word,” he posted on Twitter/X late Saturday afternoon. “Waited for six hours patiently for a flight that never happened. Good luck to our stable horses, driven by Jason Hughes and now Adam Merner. Tomorrow a new day…”

Anthony had realized a lifelong dream in the 2022 Gold Cup and Saucer final, driving Sintra to a going-away 1:50.1h victory, which matched the track record. His flight to PEI this year was delayed by weather conditions in Ontario, so Merner took his place in the sulky.

Announcing the post parade, Cameron declared that Merner “just got the catch driving call of a lifetime.”

Handle for the card was $497,651.